Singapore and France Inks Enhanced Maritime Partnership Agreement
1. An Enhanced Maritime Partnership
Agreement was signed by French Minister for Transport, Mr Philippe Tabarot, and
Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for
Finance, Mr Jeffrey Siow, on the occasion of President Macron’s State Visit to
Singapore and the elevation of relations between the two countries to a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
2. The Maritime and Port Authority of
Singapore (MPA) and the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and
Aquaculture (DGAMPA) have agreed on this Enhanced Maritime Partnership to
further strengthen maritime cooperation between Singapore and France. The
agreement covers collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation,
cybersecurity, innovation and training, and builds on an earlier partnership
with DGAMPA established in 2021.
3. This collaboration reflects the shared
commitment of the parties to advancing sustainable, innovative, and secure
maritime solutions. Both France and Singapore, as global maritime hubs, recognise
the strategic importance of strengthening cooperation in port digitalisation,
green shipping, and maritime safety.
4. As part of the Enhanced Maritime
Partnership, the parties will work with industry partners to conduct various
pilot projects to address the focus areas. On maritime decarbonisation,
projects include the development of a bio-methane supply chain and
certification framework to ensure compatibility with various sustainability
standards and adherence to accounting framework under the United Nations
Framework Convention of Climate Change and the International Maritime
Organization. The first bio-methane bunkering trial in Singapore under this
partnership, based on the certification framework, will also be conducted with
shipping company, CMA CGM, as part of this initiative.
5. On digitalisation, MPA will also partner HAROPA
PORT and the Port of Marseille-Fos to advance port call optimisation and
maritime digitalisation. This includes trials with CMA CGM on ship-to-shore
data exchange to automate and streamline port clearance processes, reduce
manual documentation, and improve the timeliness and accuracy of operational
data using internationally recognised standards.
6. In addition, both parties will also
promote maritime innovation and entrepreneurship by encouraging maritime
companies, investors, and startups from both countries to participate in open
innovation platforms such as the PIER71TM Smart Port Challenge, ZEBOX, and Landing Pad.
7. Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA,
said, “This partnership marks an important step in strengthening maritime
collaboration between Singapore and France. By working together, we aim to
advance practical solutions that supports a more sustainable and digitally
connected maritime future.”
8. Mr Eric Banel, Director General of
DGAMPA, said, “This collaboration
reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable, innovative, and secure
maritime solutions. Both France and Singapore, as global maritime hubs and key
worldwide players in innovation and engineering, recognize the strategic importance
of strengthening cooperation in port digitalisation, green shipping, and
maritime safety and security.”